Days Like Today

It's days like today....when there is too much crying and not enough napping, too much little kid energy and not enough quiet, too many movies watched and not enough one on one time, when I feel beat up and worn down, and just want to put myself in a time out all day....it's these kinds of days, days like today that I am also forced to step back and look at the big picture. And I am reminded how special each of these kids are. Because even in the midst of all the craziness they still give me sweet smiles and hugs and tell me they love me and that I am the greatest mom ever. They are quick to forgive me when I lose my patience. I love these three little ones, even on days like today.

Then and Now

I just thought it would be fun to put up some comparison pictures of the kids at similar stages and ages.

Then...Emma and Matthew

 

and now...Matthew and Ellie

Then (Emma at 4 months)

 Now (Ellie at 3 months)

This is also Emma at 4 months...just had to throw this one in because it cracks me up!

Emma at 3 months

Another one that makes me laugh every time

Matthew at 3 months (I see a lot of Ellie in this one)

 This has always been one of my favorites

And Ellie at 3 months

I see similarities between all of the kids, though I can't really pinpoint exactly what. I do think Matthew and Ellie look the most alike, though all three kids are definitely their own individual selves. What do you think?

First Day of Preschool!

Matthew had his first day of preschool yesterday...FINALLY! Emma started school 3 weeks ago, so it has felt like we have been waiting forever for his to start. Anyway, the big day came and he was really excited. He is going to the same preschool that Emma went to for the last two years. It's at a Lutheran church and the teachers are four super sweet women who volunteer their time to run this school. Amazing! Especially considering that the newest one started about 15 years ago and the oldest one has been there 40 years....since her oldest child went to preschool there. They take 10 kids and keep the same class for 2 years. We love the teacher-child ratio and how close knit the group becomes over the course of the year.

When we got to school, Matthew ran right in and started playing. Most of the kids there are kids he knows from church and he is very familiar with the school since Emma was there before. So, he felt right at home. They did some fun stuff the first day- painted apples to hang in the windows, did a cutting project, and had lots of play time. When it came time to go, the teachers told the kids to come sit at the table so they could go when their moms came. Matthew ran the opposite direction, into the play house and told them he wasn't leaving because he wanted to stay at school.

In the meantime I was waiting outside with all the other moms. One by one, the kids came out smiling and happy. When the last kid had come out, they looked at me and said, "He says he's not leaving. You might need to come get him". What??? So, I went in and sure enough he was hiding in the play house repeating over and over that he wanted to stay at school and he wasn't going to go home. Ten minutes and lots of struggling later, we finally got him out the door and in the car. I love that he loves school so much, but I sure hope we don't have to go through this every time!

The teachers commented to me that they were very impressed with his painting skills and that he was a little boy who knew exactly what he wanted and was going to make sure he got it. I'd say that's pretty accurate.  :)

After school, the kids and I were eating lunch. Emma was telling us about a new boy in her class who has really long hair. She was fascinated with this kids hair and didn't understand why a boy would have long hair, so I finally said, "Some boys just like having long hair". Without skipping a beat Matthew piped in, "yeah, and some boys just like staying at school". Haha!

I hope our little Buddy continues to love school. I really am so excited for this year!

"Matthew, smile!"

"No Buddy, give me a REAL smile."

Ah, this kid cracks me up!

Adventures with the Farrells

We are lucky enough to live about 45 minutes away from Jon's family. I LOVE IT. I love that my kids know at least one of our families well. And I love being close enough to spend time with them....sometimes only once or twice a month....sometimes every weekend. Now if only we could figure out a way to live close to BOTH families...

August was one of those months that we were able to spend a lot of time with the Farrells. Jon's brother, Jason, got married August 12 (which also happens to be our anniversary) so the whole family got together. It was a long day with the sealing in the morning followed by a luncheon, and then the reception that night. It was a beautiful wedding though and we're excited to have Lindsay in the family now!

Waiting outside the temple after the sealing

waiting and playing with the baby

waiting...

still waiting....

There they are!

I married into such a fun family!

The bride and groom at the reception

The next day we met Jon's mom and sisters for a day at the beach. It was warm, but super windy.

After the beach, Debbie took the kids home with her so Jon and I (along with Ellie) could go on a little anniversary date....another reason I LOVE living close to family! Afterwards, we went back to their house for the rest of the weekend.

There are always plenty of willing hands to hold the baby

And Sunday naps are a must

One of Buddy's favorite thing about Grandma's house is the cats. He would play with Sasha all day if she would let him. He went outside to eat his peach and insisted that he had to sit next to Sasha. Every time she moved, he would get up and move with her.

We went to the Farrells again the next weekend so we could spend a little time with Jason and Lindsay before they went back to Provo. Friday night the adult siblings went out to dinner and frozen yogurt. It was such a fun night. Saturday morning we went to Rock City, one of our favorite places in Danville.

That night Jason and Lindsay painted the kids faces. 

Emma was a beautiful butterfly

Owen was a super cool Spiderman

and Matthew was....I'm still not sure what.  :) He wanted to be a cat, but ended up looking more like a mix between Hitler and a mad mathematician

Growing

I was watching the kids playing in the backyard today and I couldn't help but notice how tall they seemed all of a sudden. Seriously, they had to have grown a foot overnight. How does that happen??? I know Matthew is definitely taller. He put his pajamas on tonight (pajamas that he just wore a few days ago) and the pants were halfway up to his knees! All this eating is definitely doing him some good! I went through his dresser and pulled out most of his 18 month clothes....yes, he is 3 years old (and 3 months) and still fits 18 month clothes. We are definitely getting our money's worth out of them!

I also went through Ellie's clothes....again. They go through the little sizes way too fast! She'll be 3 months next week...crazy! I think she's still got a few weeks left in her 0-3 month clothes, but I wanted to see what we have and what we need still. I love that Ellie can wear some of Emma's baby clothes...gives me a chance to reminisce a little over Emma's baby days.

This picture has nothing to do with this post...but it captures perfectly Emma and Matthew's relationship with Ellie. They always have to be touching her, hugging her, kissing her, seeing her eyes, sitting next to her....you get the idea.  :)

 And a random funny to finish off this post:

A while ago Jon said something about the sun being fixed in place and the moon revolving around it. That got lost in translation and now when the moon is full the kids say it is fixed, and when it's a crescent, they say it's broken. Makes me laugh every time. :)

Kindergarten

Emma started Kindergarten last week, but with all the craziness with Matthew and having our laptop out of commission, I never got around to posting about it.

Before her first day of school, Emma kept alternating between being excited and scared. She loved preschool the last 2 years and wanted to go to school again, but she didn't like getting shots, and was upset that she was going to have to get up early and get ready in the morning. Her school had 3 kinder-playdates so the kids could get to know each other. Then the day before school started, they had an open house so the kids could meet their teacher and see their classroom. She was SO excited after the open house. Her teacher, Mrs. Rothe, is awesome and we feel so lucky to have gotten her. She let the kids pick their cubby, pick their seat, and put their supplies in their pencil box (the school provides all the supplies).

The first day of school went great. We got ready and walked to school. They let the parents come in the classroom for the first 15 minutes, but Emma could have cared less!  :)  She ran in ahead of me, put her backpack in her cubby and sat at her seat. She was beaming. We left pretty quickly because Emma was doing great and Matthew was wanting to play with all of the toys...and no, I didn't cry. I think taking her to preschool for the first time was harder on me than this.

When I picked Emma up from school she said her favorite part of the day was snack time, but that she didn't get to play because she took too long eating. (They have 1/2 an hour to eat their snack and play outside). She definitely takes her time eating...but I've noticed this last week she is getting quicker. This is definitely a good thing. :)

A week into school, and she still loves it. Kindergarten goes from 8:15-12:20, which I think is perfect. She has told me a couple of times though, that she doesn't want to go to school because it takes too long....good thing she doesn't have full day! Every day she fills me in on some of the things they did. I think she really likes math...that's usually what she tells me about first. She also loves coloring and reading. They make a small book or do some other big project every day. Today was pirate day. It was totally cute. She brought home her hat, eye patch, sword, and a parrot with a clothespin on it, so it can sit on her shoulder.

We're excited for this year...to see her learn and grow and develop. Hoping it's a good one!

Mrs. Rothe made these First Day Kits for each of the kids...so cute! This is what the note said:

Starburst: You will be a shining star in school if you smile and always do your best.

Penny: To remind you that you are a valuable member of our class.

Sticker: We will always stick together and help one another. (She thinks this little play on words is hilarious!)

Eraser: Remember, it's okay to make mistakes. That is how we learn.

Hershey Hug: We all need hugs now and then. If you need one, let me know.

Lifesaver: I am here to help you. Don't be afraid to come to me if you need something.